Giving to the Department
Alumni
and other interested parties are encouraged to contribute toward the
awards described below.
Checks should be made out to:
NIU Foundation
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115
Or visit the NIU Foundation website for information about ways to give.
Scholarships & Awards for Biology Students
- Alumni Scholarship in Biological Sciences
This award is presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate student in Biological Sciences, with preference given for students demonstrating financial need.
- Deans
Award:
Established in 1970 by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to give
recognition to senior students who have made outstanding contributions
to their major departments. These students are expected to have displayed
leadership, conspicuous service, and an excellent scholastic record.
Each department may submit one nominee to the college, from which the
Dean selects award recipients.
- Dissertation
Completion Award
Dissertation Completion Fellowships are awarded annually to some of
the University's most promising doctoral students to assist in the
completion of their dissertations. Those awarded to full-time students
carry a tuition waiver, a stipend, and funds for limited research expenses.
Those awarded to part-time students include a tuition waiver and funds
for limited research expenses.
- Harvey
A Feyerherm Award
Established as a memorial to Dr. Harvey A. Feyerherm who came to NIU
in 1950 and served as head of the Department of Biological Sciences
from 1964 to 1969. He served as a professor of Biological Sciences and
Acting Director of the School of Allied Health. This annual award is
made to a junior with high academic achievement and potential
for success in one of the health care professions.
- August M. Gorenz Award
Established in 2000 by Dr. August Gorenz (B.S., NIU, Ph.D, UW). Dr.
Gorenz had a long and successful career in plant pathology working at
various locations around the world. The award is presented annually
to an outstanding undergraduate student majoring in the biological sciences.
- Marguerite Key Research Award
This award is presented to an undergraduate in biological sciences who excells in research. The award was established and funded by DeKalb resident Marguerite Key.
- David
R. Layman Scholarship Fund
Established in 1997 by David R. Layman. This award is given to an incoming
freshman pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology, with first preference
given to students who are preparing for a career in teaching, and who
graduated from a Chicago public school.
- David
R. Layman Endowment for Science Lectures
Disbursements will be used for stipends to visiting professors, scholars or dignitaries who, as guest lecturers will speak on topics in biology and related fields.
- Amanda
Mangold Scholarship
Established in 1996 and funded by Dr. Michael Mangold, an NIU graduate
(B.S. 1989, M. S. 1984). He established the scholarship (named after
his daughter) to recognize and help students who are working to fund
their education. It is presented to a junior or senior biology or pre-medical student
with an excellent academic record and significant working experience.
- Sidney
A. Mittler Award
Established to honor the memory of Dr. Sidney Mittler, professor of
Genetics, who died in 1988. Dr. Mittler came to NIU in 1960, and served
as a faculty member of this department until his retirement in 1987.
A certificate and monetary award is presented to the outstanding graduate
student in genetics, as determined by a faculty committee.
- Charles
E. Montgomery Award
Established to honor the memory of Dr. Charles Montgomery, who came
to Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1917 and served as head
of the Biology Department from 1921 until his retirement in 1952. This
award is presented to Biology majors in the teacher certification program
who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and who possess qualities
that suggest that they will become outstanding teachers.
- NIU
At Oxford Biological Sciences Scholarship
NIU has offered a summer program at University of Oxford, England since
1969. Each year the Department of Biological Sciences presents a monetary
award to selected students who plan to participate in the study of Biological
Sciences at Oxford, to help cover travel expenses.
- Phi
Sigma Outstanding Graduate Research Award
Established by Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society, this monetary
award is given to the outstanding graduate researcher in the department,
as voted on by the members of Phi Sigma.
- Phi
Sigma Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award
Established by Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honor Society, this monetary
award is given to the outstanding undergraduate researcher in the department,
as voted on by the members of Phi Sigma.
- PMBC
Graduate Research Assistantship
This award is presented annually to an outstanding graduate student working in the area of plant molecular biology.
- PMBC
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
PMBC undergraduate fellowships have been awarded competitively since
2002. Fellows are provided a stipend to conduct research during the
summer term under the guidance of a PMBC faculty member. This fellowship
has been supported by private donations.
- George
L. Terwilliger Memorial Scholarship Fund - Endowed
Established to honor the memory of Dr. Geroge L. Terwilliger. Dr. Terwilliger came to this institution in 1925 when it was
Northern Illinois State Teachers College. He served as a faculty member
for 45 years until his retirement in 1968, and filled the position of
department head from 1952-1964. Each year a certificate and monetary
award is presented to the outstanding graduate student in the department,
as determined by a faculty committee.
- University
Fellowship
This monetary award was established in 1965 to recognize academic excellence
and high potential in a major field of study. Recipients of University
Fellowships are selected by the Graduate School Fellowship Committee
from a large number of students nominated by academic departments.
- Jerrold
H. Zar Endowed Scholarship in Biology
Established in 2002 by Dr. Zar to provide scholarship support for senior
undergraduate students majoring in Biology at NIU. Dr. Zar had a long
and impressive career at NIU. He earned his B.S. at NIU (Ph.D. UIUC),
joined the NIU Biology faculty in 1968, served as chair of the department
from 1978 to 1984, served as vice provost for Research and Dean of Graduate
School from 1984 until his retirement in 2002.
- Jerrold
H. Zar Endowed Scholarship in Science Education
Established by Dr. Zar to provide scholarship support for a full-time student admitted to an initial teacher certification program in biological or physical science at NIU.
Donating Your Body for Medical Science

NIU Department of Biological Sciences has maintained its own body donor program since 1990. Bodies obtained through this program are used to teach physical therapists and medical pre-professionals. Currently we are experiencing a severe shortage of bodies and would like to encourage those interested in donating the bodies to medical science to consider donating to NIU.
Northern Illinois University can only be responsible for transportation of bodies within a 100 mile radius of Illinois. Beyond that, the donor must pay for transport.
For more information, see Donating Your Body to Medical Science (brochure and form) or, contact:

Dr. Christopher Hubbard
337 MontgomeryHall
Northern Illinois Department of Biological Sciences
DeKalb, IL 60115
(815) 753-3109
chubbard@niu.edu